Vice-President Kamala Harris is on the brink of announcing her running mate for the upcoming November presidential election. This announcement is anticipated by Tuesday morning, putting an end to two weeks of intense speculation and intrigue as the United States approaches a critical electoral season.
Over the weekend, Harris conducted interviews with several top contenders in Washington, D.C., including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly. Her selection will immediately join her in a whirlwind five-day tour across seven cities this week, intensifying campaign efforts in crucial battleground states.
A recent CBS poll indicates a tight national race between Harris and former President Donald Trump, with Harris holding a slender one-point lead. In battleground states, however, the competition is fiercer, with Trump maintaining a five-point lead while Joe Biden was still in contention.
Following the anticipated announcement, Harris plans to release a campaign video and hold a joint rally with her running mate in Philadelphia on Tuesday evening. This event will kickstart a series of campaign events spanning Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, and Arizona, culminating in a rally in Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 10.
Harris’s vetting team, led by former US Attorney General Eric Holder, presented detailed evaluations of the potential candidates, including their political strengths and vulnerabilities. Harris personally met with Walz, Kelly, and Shapiro on Sunday, and also had discussions with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Friday, along with virtual meetings with other candidates.
On Monday afternoon, campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz refuted claims that Harris had finalized her decision, emphasizing that the selection process was still ongoing. “We understand the excitement and interest here, but VP Harris has made no decision on a running mate yet!” Munoz stated on social media.
The Democratic National Committee recently concluded a virtual roll call vote, officially nominating Harris as the first Black and South Asian American candidate for a major US party’s presidential campaign. This historic nomination has heightened interest and lobbying efforts both supporting and criticizing the potential running mates.
Governor Shapiro, for instance, has faced significant opposition from some left-wing groups due to his support for private school vouchers in Pennsylvania and his pro-Israel stance. These positions have drawn criticism, with opponents highlighting his previous writings in a college magazine where he described Palestinians as “too battle minded.” Shapiro has since expressed support for a two-state solution.
In contrast, Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, have downplayed the significance of Harris’s choice. Vance, speaking on the “Full Send” podcast, remarked that the vice-presidential selection “doesn’t really matter” and that voters will primarily focus on the presidential candidates. Trump echoed this sentiment, stating that the vice-presidential role “does not have any impact” but took the opportunity to criticize Shapiro, suggesting that Harris might lose support from her “little Palestinian base” if she chooses him.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, Harris’s impending announcement is set to play a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of the 2024 presidential race. The selected running mate will need to bolster Harris’s campaign, particularly in pivotal swing states, as the nation gears up for an intensely contested election.
